NBC chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell announced on air Wednesday that she has, and has undergone treatment for, breast cancer.
“On a personal note, or how I spent my summer vacation, I had planned to be hiking in Wyoming last week but instead discovered that I am now among the one in eight women — incredibly, one in eight women — who have had breast cancer,” the 64-year-old revealed at the end of her MSNBC program, “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” adding that her cancer was discovered in her annual screening “just a short time ago.”
The anchor went on to call herself lucky for catching the deadly illness early.
“Luckily for me, I am one of the fortunate ones who discovered it in the earliest stage. It did not spread, and I’m already back at work with a terrific prognosis,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell added that she’s a big proponent of breast cancer prevention, cures and research.
“For years, I participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and other events in solidarity with friends and other survivors,” Mitchell said. “Now my connection to that community is personal and much deeper. I’m looking at this as another of life’s lessons.”
The NBC anchor then urged females to get tested and checked for breast cancer, as it’s not always fatal if treated in time.
“For you women out there and for the men who love you, screening matters. Do it. This disease can be completely curable if you find it at the right time,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell expressed appreciation for her spouse, family members, co-workers, doctors and nurses, and fans.
“As for me, I am incredibly grateful to my wonderful doctors and the nurses…to my husband and family and to the loving members of my other family, my colleagues here at NBC and MSNBC, and of course to you, my loyal viewers.”
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 202,964 women in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Of that number, 40,598 died.
Watch: Mitchell announces she has cancer
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy